Experts believe cables, satellites will fix Africa's connectivity woes
There is a general consensus among industry professionals that emerging satellite technologies, such as Low-Earth Orbit Satellites (LEOs), provide Africa with a viable alternative where traditional infrastructure deployment is difficult or economically unfeasible.
Experts believe that LEO satellite services will play a critical role in connecting previously unconnected areas, but bridging Africa's digital divide will require a multifaceted approach.
The critical guidance from Paratus Group and the Internet Society comes as Africa remains the least connected region.
According to Internet Society data, more than 60% of the continent's population lacks access to broadband Internet, with the majority paying more than 2% of their monthly income for reliable service.
With this in mind, the Internet Society underlines that continuing investments in submarine and terrestrial cable infrastructure, as well as LEOs, contribute to lowering the cost and improving the quality of connectivity.
“The adoption of new and emerging technologies such as LEOs will help improve and complement the availability, affordability, and resilience of Internet access across the entire region,” Michuki Mwangi, technologist for the Internet Society, said in an interview with ITWeb Africa.
In the case of Paratus Group, an African internet connectivity provider, 2025 is predicted to represent a watershed moment in Africa's technological landscape.
According to Rolf Mendelsohn, chief technology officer at Paratus Group, “We're witnessing several key developments that will significantly impact the continent's digital infrastructure and connectivity capabilities.
“First, we anticipate a substantial expansion of LEO satellite services, with providers like Starlink potentially extending their coverage to approximately half of Africa's nations.
“This expansion represents a crucial step in bridging the connectivity gap, particularly in remote and underserved areas where traditional infrastructure deployment has been challenging.”
He added: “The anticipated activation of the 2Africa subsea cable system marks another milestone in Africa’s connectivity journey. This extensive underwater cable network will substantially enhance Africa's international bandwidth capacity, reduce latency and improve the quality of internet services across the continent.”
While Mwangi and Mendelsohn are optimistic about Africa's digital developments this year, particularly in terms of narrowing the digital divide, they acknowledge that the journey will not be easy due to several obstacles.
Mendelsohn said: “Africa’s technology landscape offers immense potential, but realising this potential requires a balanced approach to overcoming challenges. One key aspect is the regulatory environment, which plays a vital role in shaping the sector.
“While regulations are essential for ensuring consumer protection, market stability and fair competition, there is an exciting opportunity for regulators to collaborate with industry stakeholders to create frameworks that support innovation and attract investment.
“Emerging technologies can help bridge this gap by providing greater transparency, efficiency and scalability in areas such as compliance, cybersecurity and digital transformation.”
He went on to say: “Another pressing challenge is the persistent coverage deficit across the continent. Despite significant progress in recent years, many areas remain underserved and lack access to basic connectivity infrastructure.
“Where coverage does exist, the quality is often insufficient for modern needs. Many regions still do not have access to reliable 4G+ speeds, which are essential for today’s digital applications and services.
“Addressing these challenges requires substantial investment from network operators to close the infrastructure gap. This means not only expanding network coverage but also upgrading existing infrastructure to support higher speeds and better service quality.
“The solution lies in a combination of traditional infrastructure investment and innovative approaches to service delivery.”
Mwangi added: “Data from the Internet Society’s Pulse platform shows that Africa’s aggregate Internet resilience score is 34%, which is low compared to other regions. A resilient Internet connection is one that maintains an acceptable level of service in the face of faults and challenges to normal operations.